Moment owned.
That was story surrounding talented young reinsman Mathew Rue at TABCORP Park, Menangle when he guided Baby Bling to victory in the Gr.1 $750,000 SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile.
Rue was the given the call-up after Team McCarthy secured three invitations to Australasia’s premier speed test including race favourite Excel Stride (Luke McCarthy) and the well fancied Mach Alert (John McCarthy).
On a brilliant sunny day in Sydney’s south-west, the scene was set for another fantastic event and when the mobile pulled away – the battle had begun.
Mach Alert ($4.90) charged out from his wide gate but showing plenty of speed to his inside was Chariot King ($21.80), Mah Sish ($14.60) and Excel Stride ($1.80).
But Mach Alert had the superior gate speed to clear his rivals as they charged into the first turn, Mah Sish continued to stride with Mach Alert allowing Excel Stride to land the one out, one back trail.
The first quarter was posted in 26.1 seconds.
Positions were quickly sorted as they raced into the back straight; Mach Alert led from Mah Sish, Pure Power sat in the trail with Excel Stride landing the perfect position with Baby Bling buried three back against the markers while Chariot King and Terror To Love raced at the rear.
The pressure was extreme as they reached the half in 54.4 seconds courtesy of a 28.3 second split.
As the field reached the home turn, moves were coming from back in the field headed up by race favourite Excel Stride.
The third quarter was timed in 28.4 seconds.
Mach Alert still led from Excel Stride while Baby Bling forced clear as Mah Sish gave ground quickly, Pure Power was travelling well behind Mach Alert while Terror To Love let down with a withering burst down the extreme outside of the track.
Half way down the straight, Baby Bling quickly raced up to snatch the lead away from Excel Stride and Mach Alert while Terror To Love continued to charge.
At the finish, the whip flourish from Mathew Rue signalled victory as Baby Bling held Terror To Love by 1.8m while Pure Power was only a further neck away in third.
The final quarter was 27.7 seconds.
The mile rate was 1;50.5 – a new Australasian mares record!
Baby Bling becomes the third mare to register a victory in the Miracle Mile following on from the inaugural winner Robin Dundee (1967) and Norms Daughter (1996).
For trainer Belinda McCarthy, she becomes the first female to train a Miracle Mile winner while it was the first time that Rue has sat behind the mare under race conditions.
“This is unbelievable, it’s a dream come true to win a Miracle Mile.” Rue beamed immediately after the race.
The 23yo scored his maiden Group One hours earlier after guiding Lettucerockthem to victory in the $300,000 Australian Pacing Gold Final for 2yo colts and geldings.
“Winning the APG Final was awesome, and then to come out and win the Miracle Mile is just so memorable.
I can’t thank the McCarthy family enough, Luke and Belinda have been so awesome in shaping my career and I will never forget this moment.” Rue added.
Earlier, Stewards ordered the scratching of Gaius Caesar from the Miracle Mile after trainer Darren Binskin admitted to giving the horse a tonic on race day morning.
An inquiry into the administration was opened before being adjourned.
